What are the properties of acetate fiber?

Let us now discuss the properties of acetate.

Microscopic Properties:
• Longitudinal Section (L.S.): Acetate has the presence of striations along the length of fiber that is the result of the solidification process used in fiber manufacturing while the longitudinal section is quite irregular.
• Cross Section (C.S.): Acetate has a relatively regular cross-section since the method of spinning used is dry spinning.

Physical Properties:
• Tenacity: The tenacity of acetate is low than the natural cellulosic fibers because the amorphous region in the fibers is greater, as a result, less bonds are formed by the loosely arranged polymers. Also, the bond present between the polymers is Vander Waals forces that in itself are quite weak. The strength further worsens in the wet state.
• Elongation and Resiliency: Acetate fabric is quite prone to wrinkling and creasing which reflects that the elongation is poor and resiliency is low.
• Density: Acetate is a quite lightweight fabric having a density of about 1.3g/.
• Moisture regain: Acetate has a fair to low regain due to low polarity of the acetate polymer.
• Thermal Properties: Acetate is thermoplastic in nature and therefore can be softened, shaped and set by the heat application.

Chemical Properties:
• Acids: Acetate degrades on treatment with acids however on reactions with cold and dilute acid the fiber weakens.
• Alkalis: Acetate can withstand dilute alkalis but get affected by the concentrated alkaline solution.
• Organic Solvents: Acetate gets damaged by organic solvents.